Thread: Downrigger recommendations

I am looking at getting my first set of downriggers. Want to spend $300 ea. or less on each. What features and options do you guys like. Cannon , big john, and scotty seem to be the most readily available in the stores. I looked at in the store but really don't know which options are best to have. Boom Length, auto stop, Manual or motor?

Go with a 4ft arm. Get ones that tip up and electric is the only way to go.

AGREE, Electric is the only way to go. It gets old trying to hand crank a 12lb., weight from 90' or 110' real fast. There are a few out there but everyone has their own opinion on make. If they have Big John's then they'll say that. If they have Riviera's then its that. One has to make up his own mind what he wants.

You didn't mention what kind of boat, or if you are going to use them for other than Salmon fishing... If you are going to fish 1 or 2 times a month on Lake Michigan, then 4 foot manual riggers are fine and half the price... If you are going to use them on Lake Geneva or Big Green lake for trout or Walleye, as well as Michigan then I would go with a simple clamp on model (Scotty Lakemaster) and fish off the sides of the boat and...

If you looking at spending 300$ each for new riggers then I would look at the cannon's. Used to be called a uni troll I think its a hand cranker, but has a clutch for letting out cable. Electric are nice but if you look at new riggers 300 doesnt get you too much. If you dont mind going used cannon mags 10 or big jon captian paks will do the trick. Tip up booms are nice for getting the line in the release. The SU swap meet in the spring a...

If you want electrics the Cannon Mag5s are going to be as close as you can get to your budget i think. They are the same exact thing as the Mag10 but with a fixed boom instead of extendable. A couple years ago you were about to get 2 of them for about $650-$700, I dont know if that has changed or not. Big Jon also makes some lower end electrics too that might be close to you budget. The Cannons are not going to be as reliable as the big jons...